Sandy Socks Maryland Grower Of Big Christmas Trees

Sandy Socks Maryland Grower Of Big Christmas Trees

A western Maryland grower of giant Christmas trees says he's sending refunds to the World Bank, the CIA and other Washington-area customers because heavy snow from Superstorm Sandy did so much damage to his crop.

Marshall Stacy of Pinetum Christmas Trees in Swanton said Monday he has refunded nearly 70 percent of his orders for trees that were destroyed or damaged by 28 inches of wet snow in late October.

Stacey says more than 3,000 trees suffered snow damage. He says some snapped in two or toppled each other like dominoes.

Pinetum is among a few Christmas tree farms in the Eastern United States specializing in trees up to 40 feet tall.

Other Garrett County Christmas tree growers say the storm did little damage to smaller trees.